Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told a French magazine that `` there have n't been any tangible '' signs that U.S.-led airstrikes in his country have weakened ISIS , despite assertions Wednesday by America 's top diplomat that `` significant progress '' has been made in derailing the Islamist extremist group .

In an interview with Paris Match , a portion of which was published online Wednesday , al-Assad said his government has `` noticed no change '' in ISIS since the air campaign began more than two months ago .

`` It is n't true that the strikes are helpful , '' the Syrian President said . `` They would , of course , have helped had they been serious and efficient . ''

After first striking ISIS targets in Iraq , the U.S.-led coalition went after the group inside Syria in September . These efforts have n't been coordinated with al-Assad 's government , which U.S. and other Western leaders have said they want replaced -- even going as far , in some cases , as supporting and working with moderate opposition forces fighting to unseat him .

Airstrikes mark shift in coalition focus to ISIS ` capital '

Yet al-Assad said in his Paris Match interview , which took place on November 28 in Damascus and will be published in full Thursday , that the U.S.-led military campaign has limited use because `` you ca n't end terrorism with aerial strikes . Troops on the ground that know the land and can react are essential . ''

Whether or not the strikes have hurt ISIS , there 's been little indication that they or anything else has gotten Syria closer to an end to a civil war that erupted after mostly peaceful protests in Daraa province in March 2011 .

Kerry says anti-ISIS coalition has made progress

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry , however , offered a very different view of the anti-ISIS fight Wednesday .

Addressing reporters in Brussels , Belgium , after a meeting of representatives from the 60 members of the coalition , Kerry said various efforts -- from more than 1,000 airstrikes to sanctions -- have significantly hampered ISIS in the Middle East .

`` There was a consensus that the momentum which it had exhibited 2 1/2 months ago has been halted , '' he said . ISIS `` has been forced to modify its tactics , and some of those modifications are severely hampering their ability to operate in the way that they were . ''

He added that the coalition has taken important steps in `` defeating -LRB- ISIS -RRB- on the battlefield , restricting its finances , enacting laws to restrict the flow of foreign fighters and countering its toxic ideology . ''

The airstrikes are part of that overall strategy , and they show no signs of letting up . U.S. Central Command said that between Monday and Wednesday of this week , there were 14 coalition airstrikes in Syria -- all of them near Kobani , the city near the Turkish border that in recent weeks has become a key battleground in the ongoing fight -- in addition to 11 such strikes inside Iraq .

Conflicting figures

The United Nations has estimated more than 100,000 people have died in the Syrian civil war . Yet the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the toll is much higher , claiming Tuesday that it 's more than 200,000 people -- among them about 63,000 civilians , 45,000 Syrian troops and more than 50,000 rebel fighters .

Millions more have been displaced inside Syria by the violence , with the United Nations estimating up to 1.8 million refugees in neighboring Lebanon , Jordan , Turkey , Iraq and Egypt . And the situation may only get worse , after the U.N. 's World Food Program earlier this week announced the suspension of food vouchers for Syrian refugees because of a lack of funds .

Scenes of devastation inside Kobani

Asked by Paris Match if he 'd survive this war -- or if he would have the same fate as once entrenched but later deposed leaders Saddam Hussein in Iraq and Moammar Gadhafi in Libya -- al-Assad said , `` The captain does n't think about death or life , he thinks about saving his ship . If he thinks about sinking , everyone will die . ''

Al-Assad insisted that his goal has never been to remain President indefinitely , adding , `` I am doing my best to save the country . ''

`` Regardless -LRB- of -RRB- what happens , we as Syrians will never allow our country to become a toy in Western hands , '' he said . `` It is a fundamental principle for us . ''

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U.S.-led coalition carries out 14 more airstrikes near Kobani , Syria

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U.S. diplomat John Kerry says anti-ISIS coalition has made `` significant progress ''

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Syria 's President : No `` tangible '' signs U.S.-led strikes have hurt ISIS

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Al-Assad cast himself as a `` captain '' trying to `` save the country ''